Community & Southern Holdings, Inc. (“C&S Holdings”) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger to acquire Alliance Bancshares, Inc. (“Alliance”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Alliance National Bank.
Alliance National Bank operates two banking offices in Dalton and Cumming, Georgia. At March 31, 2014, Alliance National Bank had approximately $157 million of total assets, $92 million of loans and $130 million of deposits.
“We are very pleased to announce the acquisition of Alliance National Bank,” said Pat Frawley, Chief Executive Officer of C&S Holdings and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community & Southern Bank (“CSB”). “This acquisition will position Community & Southern as the largest community bank in Dalton, a market that has proven its resilience following the downturn in the economy and the housing and flooring industries in particular. We are also excited to expand our presence in Forsyth County, one of Georgia’s fastest growing markets. Alliance shares our commitment to serving our clients and our communities and we are excited to welcome them to the Community & Southern family. Jack Turner built a fine bank and we are honored to carry on his legacy of civic involvement and community service.”
Andrew K. Walker, Sr., Chief Executive Officer of Alliance, stated, “We are very pleased to be joining the C&S team. This transaction is the culmination of many months of hard work and I am certain that my father-in-law would have been pleased to see it consummated. Our customers, employees and the communities we serve will all benefit from being part of Community & Southern Bank. Customers of Alliance National Bank can expect local decision making and the same quality of friendly customer service they have long enjoyed.”
C&S Holdings has agreed to pay $13.60 per share in cash for all outstanding shares of Alliance. The agreement was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close no later than the third quarter of 2014. Completion of the transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including customary regulatory approvals and the approval by Alliance shareholders.
Alliance was advised by the investment banking firm The Burke Group and represented by the law firm of Stewart, Melvin & Frost. C&S Holdings was advised by the investment banking firm of Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc. and represented by the law firm of Alston & Bird, LLP.
About Community & Southern Bank
Founded in January 2010, Community & Southern Bank (CSB) is an innovative, community bank offering an array of products and services for a diverse banking audience. CSB currently